By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his commitment to advancing the interests of the Filipino people while promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity as he, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and key Cabinet officials, embarked to Japan for his four-day state visit on May 26 to 29.
In a statement before his departure at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Friday, the President outlined his key agenda for his first state visit to Japan upon the invitation of the government of Japan as part of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two nations, which was formally established on July 23, 1956.
“This visit seeks to further strengthen the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor—like-minded and future-oriented just like us in many ways and a most reliable partner in times of both prosperity and times of uncertainty,” Marcos said.
“During this trip, I hope to harness the positive trajectory of our relationship with Japan in all of our enriching engagements,” he added.
He stressed the importance of the visit as it takes place “amid an increasingly challenging and evolving global environment,” including the ongoing oil crisis due to the Middle East conflict.
The visit aims to further strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership, particularly in agriculture, energy and decarbonization, defense and security, trade and investment, infrastructure, maritime cooperation, space technology, and Mindanao development.
“I will be advancing Philippine priorities and we will discuss where future synergies and complementary interests converge with those of Japan in the West Philippine Sea, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), our cooperation also with the United States, and the Philippines’ candidature to the United Nations Security Council,” Marcos said.
The President is also set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to discuss various issues and explore ways to bolster bilateral cooperation, as well as witness the signing and exchange of an agreement in trade and investment and announce key bilateral initiatives in security and maritime cooperation.
“I believe we can further expand our security, economic, and development cooperation in order to enhance our national defense posture and to uplift the standard of living of Filipinos in the different parts of the country,” he said.
The First Lady and the President will also have an Imperial Audience with Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako during the visit, where an exchange of state honors will be conducted in recognition of “the strong friendship and enduring goodwill” between the Philippines and Japan.
Marcos will likewise hold meetings with Japan’s business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines, in which he will be joined by the economic team and key private sector representatives.
Also part of the President’s itinerary is his engagement with the Filipino community in Japan, who he said, have been contributing to building the Philippines “by showcasing the best of the Filipino spirit through their hard work and exemplary character.”
“Indeed, the ties that bind the Philippines and Japan have become ever stronger over the decades, guided by the transformative spirit within the Filipino and Japanese peoples, and driven by the common desire for development persistently pursued by our forebears,” he said.
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